Following an 18-month study, a Wisconsin state bar task force proposed that supreme court justices serve a single 16-year term. Justices currently serve 10-year terms and may stand for reelection. Though term limits would not stem the tide of candidate and special interest spending in the state's judicial elections, supporters believe term limits could help restore the public's trust in a court that has been plagued in recent years by alleged ethics violations and interpersonal conflicts. At least one legislative leader described the idea as "promising." To amend Wisconsin's constitution, the legislature must approve the proposal in consecutive sessions, followed by approval of a majority of voters. While many states have a mandatory retirement age for judges, Wisconsin would be the only state with judicial term limits.

How does someone become a judge in the United States? The answer varies, and some methods for selecting judges are more effective than others. The Quality Judges Initiative is dedicated to promoting models for choosing, evaluating, and retaining judges that preserve impartiality, ensure public accountability, and keep politics from undermining the critical role of our judiciary.